Lat Singh and Javier Brun-Blanco alongside Caretaker of the Year Derek Byrne (centre)

CARETAKER Derek Byrne, who sweeps the corridors of the Woodlands estate in Newington Green, was told he had “switched the sunshine on in the block” after he lifted the much coveted Caretaker of the Year award.

At a ceremony held to celebrate the hard work carried out by the borough’s caretakers and concierge workers, Mr Byrne walked away with the top prize after he was described by one tenant as “honestly, the best caretaker we’ve ever had”.

Mr Byrne also works at Seaforth Crescent and Aberdeen Park in Highbury.

Janet Operabea

Meanwhile, Weston Rise’s Janet Operabea was handed the Concierge of the Year award – for the second time running.

Last year she drew headlines after unexpectedly delivering a baby at the King’s Cross estate and winning the same award.

Ms Operabea said: “I’m very happy. It is so important for the concierge and the tenants there so I was in shock. It has really helped me but whatever I’m doing there, I’m doing the right thing so I’m very happy”.

Lat Singh, who works at Kestrel House in Clerkenwell, won Highly Commended for Concierge Services and Javier Brun-Blanco won Highly Commended for Caretaker Services for his work on Wakelin House in Essex Road.